Chief Operating Officer

## Description

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| **Position:** | Chief Operating Officer | | |

| **Grade:** | 160 | **Department:** | Executive |

| **FLSA:** | Exempt | **EEO 1:** | First/Mid-Level Officials |

| **CBIZ Code:** | 101 | **EEO 4:** | Officials & Administrators |

| **Scheduled Hours:** | 37.5 | **Status:** | Full-Time |

| **Pay Type:** | Salary | **Revised:** | 04/26, 12/19,1/10, 10/07, 12/05 |

| **Public Service:** | No | **Essential Personnel:** | No |

| **Location:** | Administrative Office | | |

**The Harford County Public Library offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Starting wage, depending on candidate qualifications, is between $131,016 and $167,053. This position is eligible for the following benefits: deferred compensation 457(b) retirement plan, pension plan, medical, dental and vision plans, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits, paid time off and more.**

**Position Summary:**

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the senior leadership team and serves as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer in advancing Harford County Public Library’s mission to provide innovative, accessible, and community-driven library services.

The COO provides executive oversight for system wide operations, including capital projects, facilities, fleet services, delivery planning, projects, security, safety, risk management, insurance, custodial and other operational support functions as assigned. This role ensures that the Library’s strategic goals are translated into effective programs, services, systems, and infrastructure that meet the evolving needs of Harford County residents.

The COO leads with vision and accountability, ensuring operational excellence, fiscal stewardship, innovation, digital equity, and a culture of collaboration and belonging across the organization.

**Essential Duties:**

**Executive & Strategic Leadership**

• Serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO and the senior leadership team.
• Leads implementation and monitoring of the Library’s Strategic Plan.
• Translates strategic objectives into measurable operational initiatives.
• Oversees large-scale, cross-departmental projects to ensure alignment, timeliness, fiscal responsibility, and quality outcomes.
• Integrates data-driven insights into executive decision-making.
• Participates in development of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Provides executive oversight for all capital improvement projects, renovations, and major facilities initiatives, including planning, budgeting, implementation, and coordination with county and external partners
• Develops and enforces system wide policies and procedures aligned with the Library’s mission, vision, and values.
• Develops and maintains strong strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Attends monthly Board of Trustees meetings, prepares reports and updates.
• Represents the CEO as needed in meetings and events.
• Anticipates operational challenges and communicates proposed solutions to the CEO.

**Operational Leadership**

• Provides executive oversight of Facilities and Capital Projects, ensuring safe, welcoming, functional, and modern library spaces across all locations.
• Oversees procurement processes pertaining to Facilities and Capital Projects to ensure compliance with County regulations and ethical standards.
• Directs the library’s Risk Management program, including insurance coordination, claims management, policy review, incident reporting protocols, and mitigation strategies.
• Leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of new and evolving library services.
• Promotes digital equity through equitable access to technology, connectivity, and digital resources.
• Monitors operational performance and implements improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversees appropriate sections of the operating and capital budgets.
• Manages and resolves complex public relations or service issues escalated beyond normal channels.
• Excellent communication skills and proficient in technology that supports success in the position and reporting departments.
• Establishes, reviews, and updates operational policies and procedures related to facilities, safety, security, and risk management.
• Serves as primary liaison with county departments and external agencies related to facilities, capital projects, safety compliance, and risk matters.
• Oversees vendor contracts and service agreements within assigned areas of responsibility.

**People & Organizational Leadership**

• Directly supervises assigned department heads and senior managers.
• Cultivates a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and service excellence.
• Oversees performance management systems and supports staff development initiatives.
• Supports positive and productive labor and employee relations in alignment with the Library’s strategic goals and mission.
• Partners in recruitment, retention, succession planning, and workforce development.
• Facilitates regular team meetings and ensures effective communication within and across departments.
• Supports professional development initiatives for staff within areas of responsibility.
• Ensures consistent interpretation and implementation of system-wide policies.

**Supervision Functions:**